Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This is a training role within the Talking Therapies and University of Reading. The post-holder will work within the talking therapies service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role at the University of Reading.

This intensive training post will equip the post-holder to provide a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. The post-holder will work full time in service but will be released to attend all University days (Currently 2 days a week in term time and some block teaching weeks).

You will be expected in service 3 days a week; this will involve a combination or remote and in person work. You would be expected to travel to Reading for in person training. Please note that this is subject to change. Please do not apply for this position if you are unable to travel between Surrey and Reading.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.

The 2-year psychological professions funding rule policy was implemented from the 1st of April 2022 and applies to any person starting on one of the NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes from the 1st of April 2022. For further information about the policy, FAQs and the affected training programmes, visit HEEs website: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/nhs-funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Therapists and other medical staff

Administration staff

Receptionists

Service Manager

General Manager

Patients & Relatives

General Practitioners

Local authorities

Social services

Note: This list is not exhaustive as the Post Holder is required to communicate with a wide range of externalinternal departments and agencies at all levels.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

CLINICAL

• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

• Assess clients for suitability for primary care. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapist to refer to manager / supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to service protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.

• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

• Keep timely and coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.

• Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

• Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

• Demonstrate competencies set out by Roth and Pillings framework.

TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.
• Apply learning from the training programme in practice.

• Attend supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

• Attend supervision in service to review all service cases regularly.

• Review client safety in supervision regularly and adhere to supervision policy.

• Use supervision to reflect on practice via case discussions, session recordings and role play.

• Be receptive to feedback and open to self-reflection and self-practice.

PROFESSIONAL

• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations / guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

• Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

• Be aware of, and keep up to date with, advances in the spheres of CBT.

• Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

• Attend clinical / managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives

• Work in line with service KPIs.

• Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models / developments.

• Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

GENERAL

• To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

• It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain or seek to gain advantage for further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

Note: This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

INFORMATION

• Manage and maintain comprehensive office systems including bring forward systems (e.g. reminders) and prompt access to information.

• Manage and maintain electronic systems clinical reporting, containing patient-related information, analysing as required.

WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

• To manage own workload efficiently and effectively on a daily basis. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of the department acting independently but where necessary referring problems to management or the appropriate consultant via the quickest route possible.
• Be able to work with a degree of autonomy, which comes from experience.
• Work towards objectives set by the Service Manager, Clinical Lead, Supervisor and Senior team.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to DHC policies and procedures and relevant legislation including the requirements of any professional bodies attend mandatory training as identified by the DHC.
• Apply and adhere to agreed policies, procedures, protocols including national initiatives and propose changes on improvements to departmental working practices.
• Participate in reflection, self-evaluation and continuous professional development including performance review. Ensure mandatory training is up to date at all times.
• Contribute to ongoing projects as required.
• Undertake other administrative duties as required, which are commensurate with the nature of the post.

Note: This job description represents an outline of the responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or tasks. It will change and develop in line with organisational needs and may be amended following agreement with the post-holder

CONFIDENTIALITY

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients staff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott principles.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All Managers have a general accountability for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of the employees under their direction at work.

• Each employee is responsible to take reasonable care for his or her own acts or omissions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of themselves or any other person.
• All employees are under a duty to familiarise themselves with the Risk Management / Fire, Health & Safety Policies.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

DHC has adopted an equal opportunities policy, and all employees must be aware of their obligations to abide by the spirit and nature of the policy to avoid direct and indirect discrimination.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

This is a training role within the Talking Therapies and University of Reading. The post-holder will work within the talking therapies service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role at the University of Reading.

This intensive training post will equip the post-holder to provide a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. The post-holder will work full time in service but will be released to attend all University days (Currently 2 days a week in term time and some block teaching weeks).

You will be expected in service 3 days a week; this will involve a combination or remote and in person work. You would be expected to travel to Reading for in person training. Please note that this is subject to change. Please do not apply for this position if you are unable to travel between Surrey and Reading.

The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.

The 2-year psychological professions funding rule policy was implemented from the 1st of April 2022 and applies to any person starting on one of the NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes from the 1st of April 2022. For further information about the policy, FAQs and the affected training programmes, visit HEEs website: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/nhs-funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Therapists and other medical staff

Administration staff

Receptionists

Service Manager

General Manager

Patients & Relatives

General Practitioners

Local authorities

Social services

Note: This list is not exhaustive as the Post Holder is required to communicate with a wide range of externalinternal departments and agencies at all levels.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

CLINICAL

• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

• Assess clients for suitability for primary care. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapist to refer to manager / supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to service protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.

• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

• Keep timely and coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.

• Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

• Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.

• Demonstrate competencies set out by Roth and Pillings framework.

TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.
• Apply learning from the training programme in practice.

• Attend supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

• Attend supervision in service to review all service cases regularly.

• Review client safety in supervision regularly and adhere to supervision policy.

• Use supervision to reflect on practice via case discussions, session recordings and role play.

• Be receptive to feedback and open to self-reflection and self-practice.

PROFESSIONAL

• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations / guidelines set by the department of health (e.g. NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

• Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

• Be aware of, and keep up to date with, advances in the spheres of CBT.

• Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

• Attend clinical / managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives

• Work in line with service KPIs.

• Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models / developments.

• Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

GENERAL

• To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

• It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain or seek to gain advantage for further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

Note: This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

INFORMATION

• Manage and maintain comprehensive office systems including bring forward systems (e.g. reminders) and prompt access to information.

• Manage and maintain electronic systems clinical reporting, containing patient-related information, analysing as required.

WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

• To manage own workload efficiently and effectively on a daily basis. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of the department acting independently but where necessary referring problems to management or the appropriate consultant via the quickest route possible.
• Be able to work with a degree of autonomy, which comes from experience.
• Work towards objectives set by the Service Manager, Clinical Lead, Supervisor and Senior team.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to DHC policies and procedures and relevant legislation including the requirements of any professional bodies attend mandatory training as identified by the DHC.
• Apply and adhere to agreed policies, procedures, protocols including national initiatives and propose changes on improvements to departmental working practices.
• Participate in reflection, self-evaluation and continuous professional development including performance review. Ensure mandatory training is up to date at all times.
• Contribute to ongoing projects as required.
• Undertake other administrative duties as required, which are commensurate with the nature of the post.

Note: This job description represents an outline of the responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or tasks. It will change and develop in line with organisational needs and may be amended following agreement with the post-holder

CONFIDENTIALITY

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients staff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott principles.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All Managers have a general accountability for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of the employees under their direction at work.

• Each employee is responsible to take reasonable care for his or her own acts or omissions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of themselves or any other person.
• All employees are under a duty to familiarise themselves with the Risk Management / Fire, Health & Safety Policies.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

DHC has adopted an equal opportunities policy, and all employees must be aware of their obligations to abide by the spirit and nature of the policy to avoid direct and indirect discrimination.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Either a BABCP recognised core professional training (and 2-year post qualification experience). Please refer to: https://babcp.com/Core-Professions
• Or Qualify for BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) criteria (KSA portfolio expected at interview). https://babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes
• Please state Core profession or KSA on application.
• Minimum 2:1 in a UK undergraduate honours degree.

Desirable

• Introductory training in CBT.
• Masters degree in field of mental health.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum two years full-time equivalent experience working clinically in a mental health setting.
• Candidates who are qualified as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (or have received NHS funding for another Psychological Professions Training Programme) must have two years post-qualification experience (taken from the date of their exam board) before they can be eligible for further NHS funding for this course.
• Please confirm in your application that you have 2 full years post qualification.
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication.
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers.

Desirable

• Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
• Experience of working in Primary Care Services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Experience of working from a CBT perspective

Other requirements

Essential

• Demonstrate motivation for the course - state your main reasons for applying.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills - please give an example.
• Ability to work in a team - please give an example.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and be self-reflective - please give an example.
• Basic IT skills - list evidence/examples where you have demonstrated these skills.
• Advanced communication skills.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Able to travel to Reading for the training requirements at your own cost (Every Thursday & 1st Wednesday of term).
• Able to travel across Surrey for in person sessions and business meetings.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Car driver.
• Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting.
• Please be aware that by applying for this position, your application information will be shared between the education provider (University of Reading) and DHC Talking Therapies.

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.

Training

Essential

• Able to attend a two day per week course in Reading.
• Able to complete academic components of the course.

Eligibility Criteria

Essential

• Do you possess Core Profession documentation or your BABCP KSA documents depending on which route you are eligible to apply.
• Prior to this interview, you must have completed self-statements for the KSA criterion required based on your experience. Please see the BABCP website above for guidance and exemplars. You will be asked to send KSA criterion 4 to the University prior to interview.
• (please see https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Core-Professions).
• The 2-year psychological professions funding rule policy was implemented from the 1st of April 2022 and applies to any person starting on one of the NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes from the 1st of April 2022.
• Please state whether you are eligible and have read the conditions.

Qualifications

Essential

• Either a BABCP recognised core professional training (and 2-year post qualification experience). Please refer to: https://babcp.com/Core-Professions
• Or Qualify for BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) criteria (KSA portfolio expected at interview). https://babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes
• Please state Core profession or KSA on application.
• Minimum 2:1 in a UK undergraduate honours degree.

Desirable

• Introductory training in CBT.
• Masters degree in field of mental health.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum two years full-time equivalent experience working clinically in a mental health setting.
• Candidates who are qualified as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (or have received NHS funding for another Psychological Professions Training Programme) must have two years post-qualification experience (taken from the date of their exam board) before they can be eligible for further NHS funding for this course.
• Please confirm in your application that you have 2 full years post qualification.
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication.
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers.

Desirable

• Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
• Experience of working in Primary Care Services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Experience of working from a CBT perspective

Other requirements

Essential

• Demonstrate motivation for the course - state your main reasons for applying.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills - please give an example.
• Ability to work in a team - please give an example.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and be self-reflective - please give an example.
• Basic IT skills - list evidence/examples where you have demonstrated these skills.
• Advanced communication skills.
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships.
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Able to travel to Reading for the training requirements at your own cost (Every Thursday & 1st Wednesday of term).
• Able to travel across Surrey for in person sessions and business meetings.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Car driver.
• Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting.
• Please be aware that by applying for this position, your application information will be shared between the education provider (University of Reading) and DHC Talking Therapies.

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.

Training

Essential

• Able to attend a two day per week course in Reading.
• Able to complete academic components of the course.

Eligibility Criteria

Essential

• Do you possess Core Profession documentation or your BABCP KSA documents depending on which route you are eligible to apply.
• Prior to this interview, you must have completed self-statements for the KSA criterion required based on your experience. Please see the BABCP website above for guidance and exemplars. You will be asked to send KSA criterion 4 to the University prior to interview.
• (please see https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Core-Professions).
• The 2-year psychological professions funding rule policy was implemented from the 1st of April 2022 and applies to any person starting on one of the NHS-funded psychological professions training programmes from the 1st of April 2022.
• Please state whether you are eligible and have read the conditions.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorking Healthcare Ltd.

Address

Medwyn Centre

Reigate Road

Dorking

Surrey

RH4 1SD

Employer's website

https://dhcclinical.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)